A group of militants in the Niger Delta has declared that there will be more attacks and killings at major oil stations to cripple the economy until the Federal Government addresses some issues affecting the country.

The Nigerian military has, however, vowed to deal decisively with the fledgling rebellion.

The militants, under the aegis of Concerned Militant Leaders (CMLs), made the threat in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.

Members of the group further said they were in support of the militants who bombed the Chevron platform in Abiteye, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, during the week.

They also threatened to bomb more oil flow stations in the region, just as they described the incessant attacks by the Fulani herdsmen on their host communities as an indirect war by the Federal Government.

Spokesperson of the group, simply known as General Ben, described the governors as cowards for not putting up any resistance in the face of the attacks.

He said, in the statement, that the group was more annoyed that the governors could not rise up for outright condemnation of the havoc Fulani herdsmen had wreaked in their respective states.

He said the group was also saddened by the recent killings in Aba, Abia State, allegedly by soldiers, saying it was too challenging.

Said the statement: “The Fulani cattle rearers recently killed our people in Ukpabi Nimbo, in Uzouwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“Also, before then, they had killed our Igbo brethren in Irete, Imo State; they have also murdered our people in Delta State and many other places. Last Thursday, soldiers killed two innocent persons in Aba, Abia State.

“In all these unwarranted killings, the governors cannot come out and tell Federal Government that ‘enough is enough’. It is shameful that we do not have governors who are bold.

“They cannot even condemn the Grazing Bill. This is unacceptable. Grazing Bill should be for the North and not the Niger Delta region. This is another Boko Haram in disguise in the region. It cannot happen.

“We are telling them [Niger Delta governors] that we will give maximum support to any group that comes out to fight oppression in whatever disguise, against our people.

“It is an abomination for a stranger or visitor to kill the owner of the house. We cannot allow it to go freely.”

The militants said they were not part of the amnesty programme of the Federal Government and gave a two-week ultimatum to the Fulani herdsmen to vacate the Niger Delta region.

A previously unknown group, Niger Delta Avengers, had on Wednesday night bombed Chevron’s valve platform, an offshore oil facility located near Escravos in Abiteye, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident forced the company to shut in crude oil output from some fields in the western Niger Delta, while critical gas supply to thermal power stations in the country was threatened.

The attack, which occurred about 10:30pm, took place in Benikurukuru community, near Escravos, in the Ijaw axis of Gbaramatu Kingdom, hometown of ex-militant leader, who had been in hiding, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo.

Responding to the escalating attacks and fresh threats, Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-general Rabe Abubakar, said yesterday that the Defence Headquarters was watching the renewed militancy, stressing that the military will be holistic and professional in their approach to the problem.

Abubakar said regarding the resurgent attacks on the oil and gas facilities: “This is no doubt a criminal activity and they will be treated as such at an appropriate time. The whole world is seeing the callous and unpatriotic activities of this gang. Our response will be holistic and professional, which will come at an appropriate time.

“The military and other security agencies will ensure the apprehension of these criminals and leave no stone unturned in this direction, in compliance with the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The DDI, however, urged the civiliaan populace in the Niger Delta not to be scared by the new attacks. “The community leaders, oil companies, and innocent individuals should go about their legitimate endeavours, as the military and other security agencies have the capability to respond appropriately and guard our strategic assets and other platforms,” he said, adding: “We did it before and will do it now for the interest of our great nation, no matter who is involve.”

In a similar vein, the Commander of Operation Pulo Shield, a military taskforce in the Niger Delta, Major-General Alani Okunlola, said the military was doing everything in their power to contain the militants.

“We are doing our bit,” Okunlola said, explaining that the DHQ would speak on the details of the plan to end the emergent attacks.

A senior naval officer disclosed at the weekend that the military and other security agencies would launch a massive offensive against the militants. “You will hear about it very soon and when we strike, the whole world will know. We will give them a decisive and fatal blow,” the officer, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said. He added: “The plan is already being mapped out. Nigerians will know that we are on top of the situation.”

•Based on reports by Sunday Tribune and THISDAY. Photo shows Niger Delta militants.

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